The Bwlch PSSA Fly-In – 11th/12th May 2019

Andy Meade reports from The Bwlch…

On Saturday I was a bit tardy, and got to the ice cream car park about 20 minutes late, where I met Phil Cooke rigging his models. I could see some fliers in the distance making use of the conditions with sport wings, so I was hopeful of air time straight away, and I duly rigged some aircraft then made my way across the side of the hill, only a 15 minute flat walk to this NW slope. As I approached, the other pilots were just landing out, as the wind had died down too much even for those lightweight wings!

More pilots gathered with new models ready for a maiden on these kinder slopes – a grassy bottom and no sea that could always be a risk of a swim on the popular coastal sites we also frequent. The wind came and went early on, and the lighter PSS Vulcans, Vampire (flown by Tim Mackey), Alpha jets (Messer’s Gay, Twist, Barlow and Gorham) along with numerous sport thermallers were getting away well. We even saw a Pterodactyl slope conversion (Prehistoric Scale Soaring?!) which flew after some centre of gravity tweaks and a few test chucks at the back of the slope. The L39s of Steve Houghton and Phil May were soon airborne, and convincingly too in the lighter lift, these diminutive types managing to fly well enough for some aerobatics during their flights.

A lovely PSS Me163 Komet did ever so well, soaring the highest which surprised us all – these models are usually too heavily loaded for such a flight but this one proved us all wrong. The Jet Provosts of Phil Cooke and Steve McLaren soared away convincingly, which again allowed some aerobatics from these much loved airframes, still proving so popular after our first mass build event. Some thermal activity kept the pilots on their toes, making us launch and fly well for a few minutes, then landing out ready for the next uplifting experience. This varying lift before lunch time was good for an hour or so, with the two Fougas (Andy Meade, Jez Billington – maiden) really soaring well.

The large (and mature!) T-33 of Phil Cooke was piloted by Chris Barlow for some time to allow Phil to get some camera time, this big and graceful model flying slower due to ballast removal but steady and accurate nonetheless. Pete Garsden launched his new BAC Canberra into the breeze which proved those short, stubby wings are lightly loaded, and the model also soared away well. Alas, the wind backed off once again, so we went back to the lighter models so many pilots broke for lunch.

After the bacon roll break, I carried my mass build Hurricane over to the pits, as did Al Gorham. We were much derided, but you have to have faith in the wind gods, and hoped for the best later in the day.

A lovely large DH Swallow was launched by Jez, its lively performance with easy energy on tap impressing everyone. Cutting across the slope it made a lovely shape in the sky – everyone agreed it was a fantastic sight to behold. The correx Impala from Steve Houghton campaigned well in the gaining wind, these machines showing how resilient they are, so many years after being built, still looking great in the air.

A little light rain started to blow through, and the wind picked up some more, but alas that was enough for some pilots and our numbers started to dwindle. A few of us risked a flight in the light rain, and the wind kept rising in strength! I managed to maiden my own design Hawker Sea Hawk, which flew well after two test glides at the back (ably assisted by Chris Barlow). The trims were tweaked then proper aviation was committed off the edge. I am very happy with it’s performance. Another mass build Hurricane was maidened by Al Gorham, however sadly, did not go quite to plan with an errant centre of gravity. The aircraft landed out but with minimal damage thankfully.  The wind continues to grow stronger still, and so my Hurricane was committed to the skies, and used conditions well, with low passes for the camera along with gun runs on the ridge. More T-33 flights followed with the clearing skies, along with JP flights and more from my Sea Hawk, and Al Gorham dabbled at the controls too to get a feel of her.

Martin Gay successfully maidened his new NA F-86 Sabre, recently designed by Martin and Gordon Studley for the proposed 2020 Mass Build subject!  The first flight showed the model to be a little nose heavy, and following a safe land out the correction was made allowing Martin to enjoy a lengthy and impressive second flight!  The Sabre looks most convincing in the air with its scale outlines, it had a good speed range and looked nice and crisp on all the controls.  Martin will make just a few minor tweaks now taking on what he learnt from the outing before we push this model into the next stage of development!

As the afternoon wore on, the lift got better and better, but alas, it was time to make ready for dinner, so models were de-rigged an pilots made their way back to the carpark. I enjoyed one last lonely flight as I was going straight back home instead of off to the pub, and I had a great time being as silly as I dared with no onlookers to jeer!

Sunday came but the wind was lighter still and turned to the east. The extra light foam Alpha Jets were flown for a while but unfortunately there were some wild grass fires on the adjoining slopes, so it was time for an early bath and the event weekend was drawn to a close. A photo album capturing some of the action from the Saturday can be viewed HERE.  As always a huge thanks to Steve Houghton and the SWSA for hosting our PSS event, we look forward to joining you on the slopes of the Bwlch again next season!